The Effect of Stocking Density on the Behaviour and Welfare Indexes of Broiler Chickens

作     者：Jang-Ho Son 

作者机构：Department of Practical Arts Education Daegu National University of Education Daegu-City South Korea 

出 版 物：《Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology(A)》 (农业科学与技术（A）)

年 卷 期：2013年第3卷第4期

页      面：307-311页

学科分类：090801[农学-水产养殖] 0908[农学-水产] 0905[农学-畜牧学] 09[农学] 

主　　题：Broiler stocking density performance behaviour welfare indexes 

摘      要：The effect of three stocking densities, ranging from 30 to 44 kg product per m2 on the performance, behaviour and welfare indexes in broiler chicken was investigated. Scan sampling for comparative behavior in all groups was carried out at 2 min intervals during 2-20 min periods for five days each week. It was found that the most common behaviour in all densities was lying （resting）, lying and standing behaviour was tended to increase in H than L group of all experimental period. Pecking behaviour was not constantly changed by stocking density. Locomotion was not only reduced with increasing age but increase stocking density of all experimental period and all groups. Body weight gain and feed efficient were, tend to increase in L than H group of 2 to 3 weeks ages, higher in L than H group （P 〈 0.05） of 4 to 5 weeks ages and all experimental period. Other behaviours （dustbathing, preening, eating or drinking） were not influenced （P 〉 0.05） by stocking density. It seems that gait, foot pad and hock burn score were improved in L than H group of 35 days age （P 〈 0.05）. The claw length of 21 days age was not affected by stocking density, but it was significantly different by stocking density of 35 days age （P 〈 0.05）. The duration of tonic immobility （TI-reaction） was tended to decreased age of 21 than 35 days, but not effected by stocking density. These data indicate that stocking density can influence broiler behaviour and welfare indexes.